Demountable rim



E. OLIVER.

DEMOUNTABLE HIM.

APPLlCATION FILED MAR. e. 1920.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

III

ELKER OLIVER, OF DAYTONA, FLORIDA.

DEKOUN'LABLE 3m;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar; 22, 1921.

Application filed March 6, 1820. Serial No. 368,855.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER Omvnn, a citizen of the United States,residing at Daytona, in the county of Volusia and State of Florida, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Demountable Rims, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to demonntable tirecarrying rims for automobilewheels, and, while adapted for general use, is more pertieularlyintended for use in conjunction with the wheels of auto-trucks and likeheavy vehicles, in which, on account of the size and weight of the rimand tire, difficulty is experienced in fitting the valve stem inposition and applying the rim and tire fitted thereon to the wheel rim.

One object of my invention is to provide :1 const ruction whereby thedemountable rim may be up lied and removed without the necessity otilting the same to insert the valve in and withdraw it from itsreceiving opening in the wheel rim. and whereby, in the operation ofapplying the dcmountuhle rim, said rim will be automatically centered onthe wheel rim, thereb eliminating a consideiahlc amount of labor andtrouble in hnndlin and adjusting a heavy (lemountable rim and tire andelfecting a considerable saving of time in appl ing and removing the(lemountable rim en tire.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple, reliable andeflicient means for automatically centering and clamping the demountablerim in operative position and for coupling the demountable rim sectionsto permit ready and convenient connection and disconnection thereof andto secure certain desirable rim spreading and locking actions.

In a prior application filed November 17. 1919, Serial No. 338,585, Ihave shown wheel and tire-carryin rims embodying certain featuresdisclose in the present application and in which prior application thesectional demountable rim per se and its fastening connection andcoacting arts of the wheel rim are claimed, the claims of the presentapplication being directed generally to those features of constructioncotiperating to automatically center and clamp the demountable rim tothe wheel rim.

The invention consists-of the features of 'construction, combination andarrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanymg drawing, in which Fi ure 1 is a transversesection through a whee rim and a demountable rim embod ing my inventionshowing the demountab e rim sections as they appear prior to their sreading and automatic rim centering and c amping actions.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the demonntable rim sectionsspread and disposed in centered and clamping position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through the wheel at right angles toits axis and showing the parts as they ap ear in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to ig. 3 showing the parts as they appear inFig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the innerface of the demountahle rim.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing a modification in the spacingand supporting means upon the inner face of the demountable rim.

Referring now more particularly to the drawin 1 designates the hub, 2the spokes and 3 t e felly or fixed rim of a cast metal wheel, to whichmy invention is shown in the present instance applied, the said rim 3having its peripheral portion suitably formed to provide a transverselybroad seat face to receive the demountahle rim 4.. One

side of the fixed rim 3 is provided with a,

fixed retainino flange 5 against and on which one side of t edemountable rim bears, the opposite side of said rim 3 being flungelessto permit of the application and removal of the dcmonntable rim, andbeing formed with an annular channel or groove 6 to receive a splitlocking or retaining ring 7 against and on which the opposite side ofthe demountable rim bears, said dcmountahle rim being thereby held inposition upon the fixed rim against lateral displacement. These elements 5 and 7 are provided with inclined or curved cam surfaces 5 and7'. res ectively, for a purpose hereinafter descri d. Formed at properintervals in the rim 3 are transverse receiving recesses 8. whichrecesses extend partially across the face of said rim and open throughsaid face and through the side of the rim provided with the channel orgroove 6.

The demountable rim 4 comprises a circumferentially split channeled rimbody formed of separable sections 9 and 10 rovided at their relativelyouter edges wlth tire retaining flanges 11 which may be of a form toreceive either a straight-side tire or of a form to receive andinterlock with the beads of a clencher tire. The inner edges of the saidrim sections are fitted for sliding transverse adjustment, and to thisend are provided with overlapping flanges 12 and 13 adapted to close theintervening joint to a sufficient extent to obviate liabilit of pinchingthe inner tube of the tire, the ange 13 of the section 10 engaging agroove 1-4 in the section 9, whereby the flanges are held in guidedengagement with each other.

For the purpose of holding the rim 4 against circumferential movementand connecting the rim sections 9 and 1.0 for certain adjustments andfor holding a tire in osition thereon when said rim is oil' the w ieel,the said sections 9 and 10 are provided at intervals with transverselyalined pairs of lugs l5 and 16, which lugs correspond in arrangement toand are adapted to fit within the recesses S of the rim 3 and to abutagainst the transverse walls thereof and thereby assist in holding therim 4 from circumferential movement. Each lug 15 is provided with athreaded opening 17 to receive the threaded end 18 of a coupling bolt19, which bolt 19 has its opposite end 20 smooth surfaced and extendingthrou h an opening 21in the lug 16 for rotary an sliding enga ementtherewith, the latter-named end of t e bolt being also provided with ahead 22 to bear a ainst the outer surface of the lug 16 and 0 suitableform to receive a wrench or other tool, whereby the bolt may be tihtened and loosened. The bolts 19 are afapted to engage with the lugsand be tightened up, as shown in Fi 1, to hold the rim sections 9 and 10close together, and fixedly related for holding a tire in inflatedcondition when oil the wheel rim. The bolts are also adapted tobedisconnected from the lugs to permit the rim sections to move out ofengagement with each other and to fall apart for the purpose of freeingthe tire held thereby, whereby the tire may be quickly and convenientlremoved from the demonntable rim. T e bolts are further adapted to beslaekened, as shown in Fig. 2, to permit the rim sections 9 and 10 tospread or slide outwardly to any determined degree, for certainautomatierim centering an binding or clampingactions as hereinafter .described,and in this a justment the rim sections 9 and 10 are free to have suchrelative sliding motions transversely of the rim 3 seas to adapt them toaccommodate them selves to the surfaces 5' and 7' of the fixed flange 5and clamping ring 7 in order to secure a reliable and effectivefrictional binding or clamping action between the dormantable rim andthe said clamping elements when the demountable rim and tire are mountedfor use upon the fixed rim. If desired, the lug 16 ma be formed with asocket 223 to receive and'liouse a coiled spring 24 which is adapted tobe com ressed and placedunder tension when the olt is tightened, asshown in Fig. 1, for reaction when the bolt is loosened to hold the rimsections spread to the desired degree and to assist the tire inmaintaining the rim sections in spread condition under the tirepressure, as hereinafter described. The belt heads 22 are arranged so asto be readily accessible from the outer side of the fixed rim throu hthe outer ends of the recesses 8, into which the wrench orother tool maybe introduced for the purpose of adjusting the same.

The rim sections 9 and 10 are provided in their inner edges with matingnotches to form an opening 25 for the reception and passage of the valvestem of the pneumatic tire, not shown, which stem is adapted to fitwithin a radial recess 26 formed in the outer side of the wheel rim 3.The said re cess 26 may extend artially into one of the spokes 2 so asto ma e the recess of adequate length to receive the valve stem. By thisarrangement the rim 4 and the tire held thereby may be applied to andremoved as a unit from and via the flangeless side of the rim 3, inwhich operation the valve stem simply slides into and out of the recess26, thus obviating the necessity of extending the valve 'stem throughthe usualtype of opening at the center of the fixed rim. This obviatesthe necessity of tilting the demountable rim in the customary way forthe purpose of inserting or withdrawing the valve stem from itsreceiving opening, a difficult operation, especially in applying andremoving the demountable rims and tires of trucks and other heavyvehicles, on account of the width of the fixed rim and the size andweight of the demountable rim and tire. The rim sections 9 and 10 arepreferably prolvided on their inner faces with spacing am; 1 to 5,inclusive, in the form of annular ribs 27, and in Fig. 6 in the form ofannular series of spaced studs 27'. These spacing and reinforcingmembers serve at all times to keep the inner faces of said rim sectionsspaced from and out of contact with the face of the rim 3, to assist incentering the demountable rim on the wheel 3 in the oper ation ofapplying the demountable rim, and to reduce the mount of frictionalcontact between the rim surfaces in the operations of reinforcingmembers, shown'in Figs.

applying and removing a demeuntable rim as hereinafter described. Inapplying the rim 4 the ribs 27 also incidentally act as' scrapers, thusremoving all small particles of rust or other small surface partic esfrom the face of the rim i so as to allow the rim 4 to he applied andemoved with greater iacility. 'ihc riha .27. and also the studs 27' to acertain extent, furthermore have i a bracing action and tend to preventthe rim sections 9 and ll) from warping or becoming bent, an objectionpresent in deniountahle rims of ordinary construction.

In applying a tire to the rim i. when the latter is off the wheel. thesections of said rini are disassoeiated. the rim section 9 laid with itsflanged side 11 downward on the floor or ground, after which the tire isslipped from the opposite side of said rim section over upon the same. The rim section lfl is then inserted into the tire so thatv its flange 13will engage the groove 14, and then the holts l9 and coacting parts arefitted in position upon the lugs l5 and it} and said bolts tightened upto hold the rim sections 9 and 10 connected and closed or with theirinner edges in abutting contact. as shown in Fig. 1. The tire is theninflated to a pressure slightly greater than it is in tended to carryhenon the wheel and the tire and rim 4 may he carried as a spare, or therim 4- with the tire applied thereto may he slid for use over upon thewheel rim 3 via the fiangelcss side of the latter until it abuts againstand rests on the flange 5. The split retaining ring 7 is then fitted inthe groove 6. -At this stage. the flange ll 0F the outer section 10 ofthc rim t will lie inwardly of and. out of contact with the ring 7.since when the rim sections 9 and 10 are Fully closer together. or withtheir lapping edges in full lapped position. the rim 4. is narrower thanthe distance hetwcen the flange 5 and rin, 7. At this stage also the rim4. as shown in Fig. 3, is arranged eccentric to the surface of the rim3. Since the portions of the spacing tlantrcs or studs 27' at the top ofthe rim 4 re t on the rim l. while the lower portion of the rim 4 isspaced to an almormal degree from the lower portion oi the face oi th mll. in

such position. therefore. the rim 4- is not properly centered withrelation to the axis of the wheel and surface of the rim hand a propercentering: desirable hct'i'ire the rim 4 is fixed in working position.Such centering action is obtained in wheels of ordinary construction hrthe insertion and spreading action of wedge fasteners. out this is notalways accurate and involves some iahor. ill-- convenience anddillicultv cspeciaily when large and heavv rims and tires are handled.My invention. however. stcnres an automatic centering action. as I willnow proceed to descrihe. The rim 4 and tire carried there hy having beenthus applied. the bolts 20 are then slackened sulliciently to permit therim sections 9 and 10 to spread apart under the excess pressure in thetire and expansion of the springs 24, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby theflange 11. of the rim section 10 will he brought into binding engagementwith the split ring 7. and hoth flanges will he airlocked andspringdocked in engagement with the flange .3 and rint 7. thus securinga frictional binding engagement which firmly clamps the rim 4 on the rim3. Hence it will be seen that the internal pressure of the tire. or suchpressure conjointly with the pressure of the springs 24, will beutilized to hold the demountahle rim in position on the fixed rim. Itwill also he evident. that the ell'cct of the spreading of the rimsections 9 and 10 is to cause the flanged outer edges thereof to rideupwardlv upon the inclined or cam surfaces .3 and T of the flange 5 andsplit ring T. thus lifting the rim 4 and automatically centering saidrim on the rim 3. The rihs 2T or studs 2T are. therefore. spaced at allpoints more or less equally from the taco oi the rim 3 and the flangedportions of the rim sections 9 nd lll lll'flllgllt to bind against andrest upon the ilangre 5 and ring T. by which mcans the rim 4 will heproperly supported upon the wheel 3 but spaced from the latter in orderto prevent the rim surfaces from rusting or otherwise binding; orsticking, togeiner. It will. of course. he understood that the effect ofthe spreading pressure of the air in the tire on the rim sections 9 andI!) will maintain said rim sections in hindin engagement with the sidesof the fixed rim. thus holding the dcinountahle rim from lateral orcircumferential. displaccnicut. circumfercntial movement or creepingheing' also prevented hy the engagement of the lugs 15 and it with the'alls of the recesses 8. hen the rim sections 9 and i arc tree forspreading action. the elasticity cl the tire itself. with out airpressure. is sullicient to spread said rim sections to press the flangesll with some force into engagement with the liange 5 and ring 7. hut. inthe event that the tire should lJPtl'HIlt) entirely deflated. thepressure of the springs it will he suiiicient to maintain the bindingengagement. It will furthermore he evident that the air and springpressure allows a. certain yielding adiustment of the rim sections .l ndH! t com 'iensate for any tendency to looseocss oi contact incident towear and tear, thus avoiding the objectionahle noises due to imperfectContact between the clamping parts in the use of adjustable wedgeFasteners ot the type commonly employed;

in removing: the demountahle rim and tire, the bolts 1i! arc tightenedto close the rim sections El and 10. as shown in Fig. l thus removingthe pressure of the rim section it) from the ring 7. allowing said ringto he readily detached without interference from the demountahle rim.whereupon the dcmountahle rim and tire. with the demonntahle rimsections closed to;.{ethcr may he IUD conveniently removed from thefixed rim and the tire detached from the demonntahle rim in the mannerpreviously described.

Having thus fully described my invclr tion, I claim 1. A wheel rimhaving a fixed flange at one side, a removable retaining ring at, theopposite side of the fixed rim. said flange and ring being provided withinclined or cam surfaces, :1 cireumfercntially divided demountable rimadapted to embrace the fare of the fixed rim and normally of less widththan the distance between the inclined or cam faces of the flange andring when the sections of said demountahle rim are in closed condition,fastening members detaehahly and adjustahly connecting the sections ofthe cooperating the sections of the demountalile rim when said fasteningconnections are adjusted to a prescribed position, f

2. A Wheel rim having a fixed flange at one side, a removable retainingring at the opposite side of the fixed .rim, a circumferentially dividedtire carrying rim adapted to t upon the fixed rim, said demountable rinieing normally of less width than the dis tance between the flange andring. fastening connections between the dcinountahle rim sections forholding said sections assembled and adapted for adjustment to permitsaid rim sections to spread under tire pressure for respectiveengagement with the fixed ange and retaining ring, said fixed hinge andretaining rin being provided with in clined or cam sur aces upon whichthe outer edges of the demountahle rim sections are adapted to ride andbear to shift said demountable rim in its applying action from aposition eccentric to the axis of the fixed rim to a positionsubstantially concentric with the axis thereof, and contact members uponthe demountable rim sections normally spaced from the surface of the thewhen said demountahle. rim is eccentric to the fixed rim and before thedeniountable rim sections are spraid by tire pressure, and to he movedout of contact with said fixed rim in the riding contact of thedemountahle riin sections with said inclined or cam surfares in theshifting of the demountable rim to a concentric position.

3, it wheel rim having a fixed retaining flange at one side, a removableretaining ring at the opposite side of the wheel rim. a denioiintahlerim composed of circumferentially divided sections adapted to embracethe wheel rim and normally of less width than the distance between theflange and ring when the sections thereof are in closed position. andfastening connections for hold ing the demountable rim sectionsassembled and in closed position and for adjusting the same to permitsaid demountahle rim section to spread under tire pressure, said fixedflange and removable retaining ring being provided with inclined or camsur faces upon which the outer edges of the deinonntahle rim sectionsare adapted to ride and hear to automatically shift the demountahle rimfrom an eccentric to a concentric position on the wheel. rim and tosupport said deniouutahle rim in concentric position with the opposedfaces of said rims' clear of contact.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ELMER OLIVER.

